Success Story: How I Made $14,000 A Year Mystery Shopping

The article tells the story of how the author earned about $14,000 in a year, doing mystery shopping as a side job, 6 days a week, for 75 companies.

The author had a full-time job as an intellectual property assistant at a law firm. He wanted earn some extra money because he owed about $45,000 from two years of law school and was only earning just enough to live on.

Virgin Australia Mystery Shopping Breaks

Mystery shopping can be fun! Here is an example of a rare but wonderful mystery shop.

When Virgin Australia first arrived in Australia, they offered "Mystery Breaks" around Australia and even Bali, that included airfares, transfers, accommodation and baggage allowance. Nice!

Mystery Shop Compensation

If you are asked to purchase a particular item or service, you are either reimbursed, or the cost of the purchase is already calculated into the shop payment you receive.

For some shops, such as a restaurant, the payment may be to reimburse you for the cost of a meal for two. So basically you get a free meal. Nothing more.

Mystery Shopper Requirements

You do not need previous experience to be a mystery shopper. Training is usually available.

But you must:

have good observation skills and a good memory because you are required to write about specific details in your report have good written communication skills

have online access to submit shop reports

have a mobile phone with a camera, digital camera, or scanner to scan the required proof of shop, which is typically a receipt or business card

be dependable and able to meet deadlines

be at least 18 years old (21+ for places that sell alcohol)

Mystery Shopper Jobs In Nevada

Mystery shopper jobs are available in all 50 US states. However, in Nevada mystery shopping falls within the definition of a private investigator.

Hence, an individual or business in Nevada must be licensed as such before they can perform any services as a mystery shopper. A mystery shopper must be employed by a licensed private investigator (no independent contractors).

Does It Cost Money To Become A Mystery Shopper?

No. Legitimate mystery shopping companies never charge a fee to sign up. If a company asks for a sign up or membership fee, leave it alone.

Warning: One Mystery Shopper Per Household

Some mystery shopping companies seem to only allow one mystery shopper per household or IP address.

One forum thread I read said the company terminated her and her husband's account, without warning or explanation.

Another person said he and his roommate both had their accounts deactivated overnight without warning.

If more than one person in your household wants to sign up to a company, I would recommend you ask the company if they are okay with that.

How To Check Whether A Mystery Shopping Company Is Legitimate

The best way to find out whether a mystery shopping company is legitimate is to check whether they are a member of "MSPA Americas," the trade association representing the customer experience industry in North America.

MSPA Americas member companies go through an extensive vetting process to ensure that they are legitimate firms.

Among the requirements for MSPA membership are that:

a company may not charge shoppers for access to shopping opportunities

members must agree to adhere to a code of ethics that includes agreeing to pay shoppers in a timely manner and not to withhold pay simply because the company has not been paid

MSPA Americas do not intervene on behalf of shoppers in disputes with a company. But it can, and has taken action in cases when it learns a company makes a regular practice of failing to pay shoppers or paying late.

Mystery Shopper Companies

Earn money with my top 7 genuine mystery shopper companies in America. I vetted all 142 member companies (http://c1ick.us/mspa-membercompanies) listed in the MSPA Americas website.

I struck off companies that no longer seemed to be in business, or did not give me a good feeling about the company.

Here are my top 7 companies that I liked the look of. But please do not just take my word as a recommendation. They are not. Do your own due diligence. Only sign up with companies you like what you see.

I do suggest you sign up with as many companies as possible to improve your chances of getting jobs. Most companies will only have a limited number of jobs close to you and you are competing with lots of people for the same jobs.

If you have earned money with any of the other 135 MSPA Americas member companies not listed below, and would recommend them, please let me know.

Earn $5 Early Return Bonus, if you submit all results, receipts and pictures due by 10 a.m. the morning following your visit.

Refer new mystery shoppers by submit referrals on their website and will get paid $20 after they complete their first shop.

Earnings paid by check, PayQuicker or PayPal, within 21 to 28 days of submitting all required information, such as results and receipts. Other forms of compensation include gift certificates, coupons and free passes.

Shopper support: project managers are available 7 days a week via email, phone (9:00 a.m. to midnight, EST), and live chat during